Is Narrower better

[Micksan]

I just purchased a 06 R3 that came with a 225 /50 on the rear. It has taken a couple of days and some back roads but I am getting use to it.
Now for the dumb question. Would a narrower tire like the 205 be better at over all handling, and cornering. Or would it be to slim.
Thanks in advance
Mick

 

[HellFire]

I've been comparing notes on tire sizes since before I was forced (for lack of time before a trip) to install my second Metzler. Based on reading everything I could get my hands on from Darksiders who have been there and done that ... I've narrowed it down to either 235/55 or 225/55. From those two sizes it seems to be a trade off between better looks and traction from the 235 Vs. better handling from the 225. Of course everyone wants the look of the 240/50 ... but I understand that it handles like **** and just grazes the frame.
I'd have to guess that going with the narrow tire is the closest one can get to the feel of the 240/50 bike tire.

I still haven't made my final decision other than the Eagle F1 240/50 in the garage is not going on the bike now.

 

[NM ROCKET]

I have a 225/55/16 Rinken Raptor and love it.
If you go narrower there is less counter steer.
225/55 is as close to stock as you can get in DS.

 

[deanmichele]

Hey Guys I am running a Firestone Firestorm WideOval in 215/60 16 at 42psi and love it.

 

[tdragger]

Hey Guys I am running a Firestone Firestorm WideOval in 215/60 16 at 42psi and love it.

Welcome to the site.

Each tire is different and running that high of pressure is not the norm. It it feels right for you then stick with it.

Most of us that use the Riken Raptor run in the 28-30 psi range.

 

[STRIPES]

Hey Guys I am running a Firestone Firestorm WideOval in 215/60 16 at 42psi and love it.

Are you sure it is a Firestorm? I could only find a Firehawk.

 

[flhtpi]

Toyo Proxes4 245/50/16 at 28 psi here and I'm never going back to a M/C tire on my R3. No rubbing what so ever!!

 

[HansO]

I've been comparing notes on tire sizes since before I was forced (for lack of time before a trip) to install my second Metzler. Based on reading everything I could get my hands on from Darksiders who have been there and done that ... I've narrowed it down to either 235/55 or 225/55. From those two sizes it seems to be a trade off between better looks and traction from the 235 Vs. better handling from the 225. Of course everyone wants the look of the 240/50 ... but I understand that it handles like **** and just grazes the frame.
I'd have to guess that going with the narrow tire is the closest one can get to the feel of the 240/50 bike tire.

I still haven't made my final decision other than the Eagle F1 240/50 in the garage is not going on the bike now.

I'm running a 245/55/16 Toyo Proxes t1r and it dose Not touch the frame only the indicator bracket when suspenion is bottomed out and if you raise (Longer Shocks) or run your shocks firm like I run my Fornales it is almost impossible for it to happen after much experimenting with pressures I have now settled on 36psi and have not run onto sidewalls since, as Canberrr3 can testifie I do get serious in the twistys as for the the counter steer I don't think it is much more than the crap metz I also noticed less counter steer when I fitted the Shinko 757 to the front, the difference was like chalk n cheese the first corner I came to I nearly fell over! compared to the Metz front, Its also as a bonus 2/3s of the cost and appears to be wear better not to mention turns faster in traffic or in to corners and grips like sh#t to a blancket Wet or Dry............ just check the odometer it done a tad over 10,000 km's on the Toyo rear and just over 3,000km's on the shinko front with no noticable wear, on the Shinko it is giving even wear and no cupping like the two previous Metz did

 

[CanberraR3]

Yeah mate, that rear of yours is extra wide. Certainly nothing I saw with your riding to suggest any problems with the tyre either. Surprised me how much tread you had down even while scraping your pegs. Looks mean too.

 

[warp9.9]

Yeah mate, that rear of yours is extra wide. Certainly nothing I saw with your riding to suggest any problems with the tyre either. Surprised me how much tread you had down even while scraping your pegs. Looks mean too.

I usually try to stay away from this forum, as I cannot stop inserting my foot in my mouth. However, I have been laid up for a while and am in the middle of a mod build on my beast.

Anyway, I have had the time to read a lot of bike riding books specifically about road racing on and off the track. I found it amazing that even though one is laid over in a curve you are always turning the front tire opposite of the direction of the curve. That being said plus the extra counter steering involved in using a car tire is why it is so much easier to scrape the pegs and throw money away that you are saving on the purchase of a car tire. In a curve, you are counter steering even more going thru the curve which lays the bike over even more. Therefore, while you believe your saving money and pulling thru the curve more you are not. All that is happening is you moved your money spent on tires to the pegs and **** you grinding and not getting thru the curve any faster nor any slower. I am not sure but it seems to me you might be endangering yourself laying the bike over further making it harder to recover when something happens be it animals running in front of you or a bike in front of you loosing it or perhaps oncoming traffic being slightly in your lane.

Again, I am not trying to convert anyone back nor kicking anyone who runs a car tire just passing on information I found in reading.
Have a great day and if you’re riding already I am jealous !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!